Burned with His Books: The Life and Times of Michael Servetus

Presented by Neil Inglis.
Skeptics are drawn to stories of those who faced the threat of persecution to stand up against the forces of religious dogma. Michael Servetus lost that battle--and although the passage of time has brought vindication, he remains an unsung and elusive figure.
A physician and researcher by day, theologian and polemicist by night, the Spanish-born Servetus wrote on a variety of medical and other topics and announced an anatomical discovery shortly before his death. Intrigued by printing technology, Servetus worked closely (albeit discreetly) with publishers to produce some of the finest books of his age. These texts represent a moving and beautiful milestone on our faltering journey into the modern era. Ironically, it was atop a pyre of his own books that Servetus was burned to death.
Recent developments in Spanish-language scholarship have addressed some of the gaps in the historical record, such as Servetus' suicidal decision to visit Geneva and confront his mortal foe, Jean Calvin.
Translator, author and long-term NCAS member Neil Langdon Inglis is editor of the "Tyndale Society Journal" (TSJ), a magazine honoring the life and work of the first published translator of the Bible in English, William Tyndale (1494-1536). Neil is also U.S. General Editor (and Parapsychology Editor) for interlitq.org, an on-line journal of opinion. Neil Inglis last gave a presentation on Michael Servetus (1511-1553) at the Bethesda Public Library in January 2005. Neil's most recent presentation for NCAS was on "Brian Inglis: Mortal Enemy of CSICOP" in the Fall of 2017. Neil is pictured with the Servet memorial in the Spanish Room at the IMSS Museum in Chicago in 2014.
Views expressed in this video are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics.

[@GodwynDi]

"His life is in many ways a disappointment for the reader." And I haven't even written my biography.

[@SuzieGutie]

Fascinating material on Servatus, how sad a brilliant man was not privileged to live a long life. Excellent presentation.

[@stevenfrasier5718]

Veering away from the theological issue at hand is like a glassblower without sand. I did not like his school-boy book report manner. He skirted the issue of "murder". He made Servetus to look like he was responsible for his own demise. Crockery.

[@Eggzageration]

Please can somebody help me! What is the name of the painting at 7:47? I can’t find it anywhere and would love to use it as a source in my essay :)

[@oneida80100]

Excellent work, enjoyable.

[@RedDwarfism]

Very well done

[@ktcarroll4723]

I’m just learning about this man after hearing a Oneness vs Trinity debate. I’m hoping to learn more but to be burned alive for your disbelief in the trinity is odd in 2020

[@mohamedab9033]

Trinitarianism is a vile beast which consumed Christianity, and it is a philosophical invention with no roots or evidence whatsoever in the Holy Scriptures.

[@marisakennedy777]

@@mohamedab9033 Yes, but it was prophesied in the Bible to happen. Jesus gave the parable of the wheat and the weeds, it wouldn't be until "harvest time" that the weeds would be separated from the wheat. The time just before Armageddon. (Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43; see also Matthew 23: 9) The Apostles also prophesied about it (1 Timothy 4: 1-3; 1 Timothy 6: 3-8; 2 Timothy 4: 3, 4; 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12; 2 Peter 2: 1-3).

[@Frederick.J.Marshall]

You may find this channel interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX_EYpZvlNGFf6c

[@ktcarroll4723]

@@Frederick.J.Marshall I appreciate you sharing that. I’ve had a hard time since I became a Christ follower to believe in the trinitarian doctrine I’m still learning and the more I study the more I find that backs up my disbelief in that doctrine

[@ktcarroll4723]

@@Frederick.J.Marshall I watched John MacArthur in a video just the other day say his goal in life is to preach and teach the Trinity (not Jesus Christ and him crucified) I like Johns teachings on a lot of things but that has been a thorn in my side for a long time

[@danielgc1970]

There is some thought that says Servetus was of the Oneness persuasion theologically. Interesting figure. Thank you

[@willf9779]

After reading about Servetus, seems he did not deny the diety of Christ, but believed God and Jesus were One and no difference in persons

[@daroay]

Michael Servetus was a controversial figure in his time because of his unorthodox views on religion and theology. He was a theologian and physician who is known for his pioneering work in anatomy and his heretical views on Christianity. Some of the controversial ideas and beliefs that he held include: He rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, arguing that it was not supported by the Bible and was a false teaching. He believed that the doctrine of predestination, which was a central tenet of Calvinism, was misguided and contrary to the teachings of the Bible. He denied the existence of original sin and the need for infant baptism, arguing that these were human inventions and had no basis in the Bible. He was critical of the institutional church and its authority, arguing that the church was corrupt and had strayed from the true teachings of Christ. These and other ideas that Servetus espoused were considered heretical by many religious authorities, and they led to his persecution and eventual execution. Despite the controversy surrounding his beliefs, however, Servetus was a brilliant and innovative thinker who made significant contributions to the fields of anatomy and medicine, and his ideas continue to be studied and debated by scholars today.

[@oztuber2]

that is a short list in which many today agree on.. are there any more that make him apart from people today in their thinking?

[@daroay]

@@oztuber2 Look for "Servetism" in wikipedia. His view combines Sabelianism with Arianism in a way no theologian did before. Even though he was "anti-trinitarian", theologically he was just an heterodoxical trinitarian because he still believed Jesus was God, and Jesus was the son of God. But not under a triune formula, by that he means Jesus was not "God the Son" (the second Person of the Trinity). The triune God of 3 persons was an aberration equitable to the greek Cerberus. To him Jesus was the literal Word of God made flesh, and that Word is God, just like fire from the same fire. There is no pre-existent Jesus as a person in the flesh until Mary's conception.

[@oztuber2]

@@daroay Well he got the pre existent part spot on, Sounds like a oneness otherwise.. which are just watered down trinitarians and just as heretical. next stop the Socinians and Polish Brethren to have a look at.

[@daroay]

@@oztuber2 the Minor Church (Polish Brethren) followed a non-trinitarian doctrine, inspired by the writings of Michael Servetus

[@oztuber2]

@@daroay Yes I know that.. but seems as though they understood it far better than Servetus considering he was more like oneness belief. I have looked into the Socinians a little and will more, I think some of these groups believed in no original sin which I'm keen to look into as well and how and why they believe this. Considering how close they all are to true Christianity It's interesting to see what they think of any topic against trinitarians belief.

[@oztuber2]

This other guy in the video im posting says Calving warned Servetus not to come and tried to help him not burn at the stake???? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHPXgJupjsdmj8k

[@thomasromano9321]

Michael Servetus, scientist, humanitarian, discoverer of human blood circulation, another great spirit destroyed by the forces of religious fanaticism. Too often in history those that have opposing viewpoints on religion cannot tolerate each other, and unfortunately, Servetus and his beliefs were denounced by most people including Calvin, who opted for Servetus's execution. I would have wondered what more great discoveries this man Servetus would have come up with if his life hadn't ended so abruptly and cruelly by the forces of ignorance and superstition.

[@chrisdelagarza8048]

I like his voice

[@Reziac]

The earliest known case of doxxing? :)

[@larbiahmedsaadi1203]

he copied the medicine book of Ibn al-Nafis

[@oztuber2]

Calvin was pure evil